PDC is responding to the recent M6.9 earthquake reported to have occurred 90KM WSW of Kirakira, Solomon Islands at 19:10 UTC on 09 December 2016. (U.S. Geological Survey) and Tsunami Threat. Attached is a PDC Situational Awareness Product depicting the reported epicenter and Tsunami Travel Times from the source to coastal locations. Please see below for additional information, as well as monitor DisasterAWARE for further updates.

This bulletin is being issued for information only and reflects the current situation and details available at this time. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors for this operation. The Solomon Island Red Cross Society (SIRCS) will, however, accept direct assistance to provide support to the affected population.

People have difficulty standing. Drivers on the road feel their cars shaking. Furniture may be overturned and broken. Loose bricks fall from buildings and masonry walls and cracks in plaster and masonry may appear. Weak chimneys may break at the roofline. Damage is slight to moderate in well-built structures; considerable in poorly constructed buildings and facilities.

· Vanuatu- As of 8 December there have been thirty (30) suspected cases. Source: Vanuatu Ministry of Health.

Zika

· American Samoa: As o 1 December 2016; there have been 1,004 suspected cases of which 58 are laboratory confirmed, since 1 January 2016. Of these confirmed cases; 33 are pregnant women. The weekly number of cases is decreasing.

For the very first time, the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) has been officially activated to support emergency preparedness activities. The request for activation and inclusion of the ETC in the list of Pacific Humanitarian Team clusters was endorsed by the Emergency Relief Coordinator on 30 November, with the World Food Programme (WFP) as nominated lead.

Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator the Hon Concetta Fierravanti-Wells

6 December 2016

From 6th to 8th December we will travel to Solomon Islands, Samoa and Vanuatu, accompanied by Labor Senators and portfolio counterparts, the Hon Penny Wong and Claire Moore to emphasise Australia's bipartisan commitment to stability and economic growth in the Pacific.

· Vanuatu- As of 30 November there have been 10 suspected cases of which 7 tested NS1 or IgM positive with the Standard Diagnostic’s Dengue Duo rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Samples have been sent to the Institute of Environmental Science and Research laboratory , New Zealand for confirmatory testing. Source: Vanuatu Ministry of Health.